Welcome to Clean Beaches Coalition
The Clean Beaches Coalition (CBC) is a network of coastal organizations and individuals committed to promoting clean, healthy and well managed beaches around the world. We are home to the following initiatives:
Blue Wave Program - America's first environmental certification for beaches.
National Clean Beaches Week - celebrated annually (July 1-7) as the "earth day" for beaches.
Blue Wave Program - America's first environmental certification for beaches.
National Clean Beaches Week - celebrated annually (July 1-7) as the "earth day" for beaches.
CBC Releases List of Clean and Healthy Beaches
Clean Beaches Recognize Anniversary of Landmark Coastal Legislation
(Washington, DC) – On July 4th America celebrated its independence from dirty beaches. Five years ago, the United States Senate and House of Representatives passed the National Clean Beaches Week Resolution by unanimous consent.
More than 50 events are occurring throughout the country in celebration of National Clean Beaches Week, from beach cleanups, to art fairs, to seafood festivals and recreational activities, all with the focus of appreciating and respecting our Nation’s beaches. In honor of National Clean Beaches Week, the Clean Beaches Coalition is urging beach goers young and old, to apply seven simple reminders at the shore (see full press release for list).
2012 Clean Beaches List
More than 50 events are occurring throughout the country in celebration of National Clean Beaches Week, from beach cleanups, to art fairs, to seafood festivals and recreational activities, all with the focus of appreciating and respecting our Nation’s beaches. In honor of National Clean Beaches Week, the Clean Beaches Coalition is urging beach goers young and old, to apply seven simple reminders at the shore (see full press release for list).
2012 Clean Beaches List
Blue Wave Beach Tops List for Low Travel Taxes
(Excerpts from article by Scott McCartney/Wall Street Journal)
A recent study published by the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) ranks Fort Lauderdale, FL as having one of the lowest travel tax rates in the United States.
The study ranks the 50 most popular US destinations based on which cities impose the highest and lowest total taxes on lodging, rental cars, and meals.
A survey last year by the U.S. Travel Association, a nonprofit industry group, found 49% of respondents had altered plans because of high travel taxes, such as by staying in less-expensive hotels and spending less on shopping and entertainment. Ten percent of people surveyed said they had changed city choices for trips because of taxes.
Travel is one of the most heavily taxed activities in the U.S., even though most cities and towns try hard to encourage visitors and tourism. Travelers don't vote where they travel, so cash-strapped cities and states continue to push fees and taxes onto hotel rooms, rental cars and airports.
The impact can be significant: GBTA said travelers pay taxes that total, on average, 57% more than if they just paid the normal general sales tax.
Car-rental companies and airlines say heavy taxes on their services damp demand. With rental cars, some consumers, particularly leisure travelers, are discouraged from travel or opt for smaller cars to hold down the price of a rental, where taxes can sometimes exceed the car cost.
"Taxes clearly have an impact on consumer behavior," said Richard Broome, spokesman for Hertz Corp.
Fort Lauderdale Beach is a top international beach destination and the first Blue Wave certified beach in Florida.
We are proud to see a Blue Wave Beach leading the way to more affordable travel - cleaner, cheaper and smarter!
A recent study published by the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) ranks Fort Lauderdale, FL as having one of the lowest travel tax rates in the United States.
The study ranks the 50 most popular US destinations based on which cities impose the highest and lowest total taxes on lodging, rental cars, and meals.
A survey last year by the U.S. Travel Association, a nonprofit industry group, found 49% of respondents had altered plans because of high travel taxes, such as by staying in less-expensive hotels and spending less on shopping and entertainment. Ten percent of people surveyed said they had changed city choices for trips because of taxes.
Travel is one of the most heavily taxed activities in the U.S., even though most cities and towns try hard to encourage visitors and tourism. Travelers don't vote where they travel, so cash-strapped cities and states continue to push fees and taxes onto hotel rooms, rental cars and airports.
The impact can be significant: GBTA said travelers pay taxes that total, on average, 57% more than if they just paid the normal general sales tax.
Car-rental companies and airlines say heavy taxes on their services damp demand. With rental cars, some consumers, particularly leisure travelers, are discouraged from travel or opt for smaller cars to hold down the price of a rental, where taxes can sometimes exceed the car cost.
"Taxes clearly have an impact on consumer behavior," said Richard Broome, spokesman for Hertz Corp.
Fort Lauderdale Beach is a top international beach destination and the first Blue Wave certified beach in Florida.
We are proud to see a Blue Wave Beach leading the way to more affordable travel - cleaner, cheaper and smarter!
Blue Wave Beach Makes Parents Magazine Top 10 Beaches List
Parents Magazine recently named North Beach in Racine, Wisconsin one of America's 10 best family beaches.
North Beach is one of the most decorated beaches in the Great Lakes region. In addition to Parent's Magazine, USA Today named the beach among the "51 Great American Beaches."
The beach achieved Blue Wave certification in 2004, and was the first Blue Wave certified beach on the Great Lakes.
The Blue Wave commitment in Racine is led by Dr. Julie Kinzelman. Dr. Kinzelman is a world-renown clean beach scientist and founding science adviser to CBC.
She is a leader in the use of "fast-track" testing methods that return water-quality results in as little as four hours. Previous tests, which took three days, did little to determine if beach water was safe for swimming because they returned results after the fact. Long lag times meant beaches were open when water was a health risk and potentially closed when the water was clear.
Dr. Kinzleman improved Racine's beach water quality by changing sand grooming techniques, cleaning up stormwater/runoff, banning dogs and feeding seagulls at the beach and planting native grasses that help clean up water runoff. These adjustments were all part of the Blue Wave certification process. As a result, Racine's beach water is so clean it qualified as drinking water!
We are proud to showcase another Blue Wave Beach success story - a testament to the clean beaches philosophy.
North Beach is one of the most decorated beaches in the Great Lakes region. In addition to Parent's Magazine, USA Today named the beach among the "51 Great American Beaches."
The beach achieved Blue Wave certification in 2004, and was the first Blue Wave certified beach on the Great Lakes.
The Blue Wave commitment in Racine is led by Dr. Julie Kinzelman. Dr. Kinzelman is a world-renown clean beach scientist and founding science adviser to CBC.
She is a leader in the use of "fast-track" testing methods that return water-quality results in as little as four hours. Previous tests, which took three days, did little to determine if beach water was safe for swimming because they returned results after the fact. Long lag times meant beaches were open when water was a health risk and potentially closed when the water was clear.
Dr. Kinzleman improved Racine's beach water quality by changing sand grooming techniques, cleaning up stormwater/runoff, banning dogs and feeding seagulls at the beach and planting native grasses that help clean up water runoff. These adjustments were all part of the Blue Wave certification process. As a result, Racine's beach water is so clean it qualified as drinking water!
We are proud to showcase another Blue Wave Beach success story - a testament to the clean beaches philosophy.
